#222

Thank you very much! That fixed it :slight_smile: and just so I better understand, can you explain that to me? The eurorack cables are only TS, right? So why do we need TRS at the 1/4” end?

#223

Using balanced outputs is to reduce noise. At a balanced input, the inverted/out-of-phase copy of the output signal is flipped again and summed with the other copy so that any noise picked up along the cable run is cancelled out.

#224

To answer the question differently, the RIP is essentially a passive DI, and the balanced output is the main purpose of it. Any colour it adds is essentially a bonus.

#225

Thank you both for getting back to me :slight_smile: I understand why TRS exists but was confused that only the 1/4” were TRS for some reason. I’m good now. Thank you :slight_smile:

#226

Hey everyone, back again… I’ve since acquired a second RIP and this one works perfectly with the same cables. I can get the original RIP to pass both channels (stereo signal as the input) if the B 1/4” cable isn’t in all the way. I’m using TRS 1/4” cables and regular TS eurorack cables. Could something have come disconnected? Any help on solving this would be awesome and much appreciated :slight_smile:

#227

It’s always possible! I also suspect that the destination of your B-channel TRS could be part of the puzzle. Could it be running to an unbalanced jack which bridges the ring and tip of the TRS cable?

For troubleshooting, you might consider trying an insert cable. This will split the balanced TRS signal into it’s positive and negative components on individual TS cables. Then you can try plugging each into your destination and you should perceive identical (but phase shifted) results between them. If one of the two TS cables doesn’t carry a signal, then you probably have some hardware issues with the RIP.

Multimeters and oscilloscopes are also invaluable tools for troubleshooting :slight_smile:

#228

What are you plugging into on the other end?

#229

Luckily, it’s very easy to troubleshoot a passive module, because it works out of the case, and you can’t damage it by shorting anything. Inspect all soldered connections visually. Plug cables into the module and start pushing sideways on every soldered connection on the PCB. Use a metal object, like a knife tip or screwdriver. You will find which connection is loose when it suddenly starts working under pressure.

1 Like
#230

@desolationjones @Jonny @smotesko the main reason I suspect somethings not right is that the new RIP works perfectly into the same destination. To be clear, I now have two in my possession and they don’t act the same way. the first time I noticed it, I was trying to send euro into Norns so I could record and then last night, when I posted this, I was going Peak into RIP into mimeophon. the setup from last night was the first time I tried both RIPs with the same signal path as a control. The new one works and the other has that issue with B.

am I supposed to be using TRS 3.5’s as well as TRS 1/4"'s? or regular eurorack cables and TRS 1/4"? I don’t have a scope (waiting to get data) so it’s hard for me to test anything besides wiggling and smooshing stuff. I really do appreciate you all chiming in to help me resolve this! :slight_smile:

#231

Regular TS eurorack cables.

It’s probably a bad TRS jack. You should ask about getting it serviced.

#232

Sounds like it could be a hardware problem. Sometimes a short can develop between the lift switch and the back of one of the transformers over time (there is a piece of insulating tape that might have deteriorated).
Message us and we’ll sort it out: service@whimsicalraps.com

#233

Thank you for the info :slight_smile: I emailed after you sent this but haven’t heard anything back yet. It would be awesome to hear back today bc I may be coming to the city tomorrow so I can bring it with me. Thanks so much

#234

While I already owned a RIP, I recently procured a Meng Qi Please Exist 2 for another modular-based instrument.

For those interested, I have been A/B’ing the PE2 with RIP. They are very very similar in sound character and quality, but the PE2 has a slightly hotter output and seems to be a little more sensitive to saturation. I actually like the PE2 with its tiny bit of extra edge a little more than the RIP, while RIP is definitely smoother, which may be desired.

They both sound fantastic and do really well at glueing a patch, and sound much better as an output over the audio out from my Intellijel 7u case (which I’m now just using as a stereo effects loop).

In summary, if you really want that smooth Cinemag sound it’s worth the effort and cost, but Meng Qi’s custom designed transformers are dirtier and cheaper to boot. Differences between the two are subtle, but they are there.

15 Likes
#235

Hello, just reaching out bc Ive still not heard back from my support email and its been a while. not sure if it wasn’t received for some reason but I think it did send fine. thank you :slight_smile:

#236

Is anyone using the RIP as an input for an acoustic instrument with a pick up? I’m thinking about getting a bouzouki or mandolin and considering whether it’s worth paying a few extra bucks to get one with a pick up & 1/4 out – I know there’s other modules I could use for this and I know I would need to add some gain. Assuming only using RIP, how well would this work? Would I be better off with a boost in line before the transformer?

#237

Has anyone used RIP with a guitar amp? Seems like the levels might be close to fine?

#238

my not super scientific testing leads me to believe you need to attenuate about -18dB more to be about the same level as a guitar.

(start at volume 10 running through my AC30 measured 90dB with my phone decibel meter. Pulled down a limiter at the end of my 301 chain until the phone read about the same with an oscillator going through at around guitar frequency.

EDIT: I update the value coz I did not realize I was pushing the oscillator up in another part of the chain

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#239

Speaking of DB levels and RIP, is there an expected amount of attenuation (like a specific -db amount)? I lose a lot of amplitude, almost an impractical amount. For example I’m using mangrove without it’s Air to clipping point as a sound source, I have to boost the signal up a good 12-16db to get a mixable volume

#240

I don’t know about RIP specifically, but passive DIs commonly attenuate by 20db, which is more than what you’d generally want for converting modular levels to line, which is maybe 6db? The amount of boost you’re adding is in line with these numbers.

#241

Ahh thank you thank you. Makes sense then